The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-04-13
INEQUALITIES OF THE BALLET.
L. NJ. AIcott Enters Protest Against the
"Haif-Naked France"

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L. NJ. AIcott Enters Protest Against the
"Haif-Naked France"
Boston Transcript
As the subject of the ballet has been
recently brought before the public and
much private discussion has followed, L
desire to enter my protest, with that of my
friends, against the introduction OF In
decent dances into otherwise unobjection-
able spectacles for the young.
Last Saturday afternoon a party of little
girls were taken to see THE Ratcharmer,"
the pretty story of 1.-THE Pied Piper" being
considered pleasant and proper one for
children to enjoy. The play itself was
harmless, the tuneful charmer well acted,
the rats and peasant children highly salts
factory, but the ballet spoiled the enter
tainment for more than one party, as was
plainly shown by the disgust OF the ladies
and comments of the children. Young as
they were, the ages of our three ranging
from seven to ten, the instincts OF these
buds of women were quick to see and feel
the immodesty of "the pink ladies, who
"didn't have enough clothes on, and kicked
about in the improperest way before ever
so many men,"
The innocent amazement OF these babes
was not the worst feature of the case, how
ever. A row of lads Just in front were evil
IDENTIFY taking their first lesson in modern
morals, and the grins, nudges and remarks
of these boys were sad comment on the
carelessness OF parents, the blindness OF
public opinion, the folly of trying to keep
boys clean-minded when such temptations
are set before them and Endorsed by their
elders.
The flock OF girls eating candy all about
Us and surveying the most audacious poses
of the ballet with calm interest made it inn
possible to help wondering what sort of
wives and mothers they would become If
at sixteen they could see, without blush
ing, several hundred halt naked girls praHce
before them, as in the "Black Crook, F"
could laugh at the vulgar wit of that sill
lest of all plays, "Adonis, and troop
eagerly to see Camille" the courtesan,
die in lace and white cashmere.
The ministers when asked their opinion
on this subject either condemned thelstage
entirely. professed after ignorance OF the
ballet or approved it, and the matter
dropped, as so often before, to the great
disappointment of many anxious parents
who hoped that these keepers of souls
would manfully wage war against one of
the crying evils OF the day.
Therefore it becomes such persons as are
interested in public morals and the guard
ianship of the young to take up the ques-
ton, and try to purify the stage OF this
abomination, making it what il should be,
a source of instruction as well as pleasure.
Let the managers who get up the brilliant
spectacles remember principle as well as
profit, and provide harmless plays for
young and old, with less glitter and more
decency, fewer false wives and rakish hus-
bands; wholesome home scenes, not dress
parades and poor acting. The good old
fairy plays always drew. Joshua Whit
comb" fills any house, and the Rivals
still enjoys a green old age. In heaven s
name, then, let the playwrights fall to and
give US something sweet and true to hu-
man nature, or let there be brought back
the best dramas of other days to teach US
what to like
Let the parents who are responsible to
God for the children they bring into the
world look well to their own ways to do
all that in them lies to make ii safe
home for these innocents, and set examples
fit to be followed, lest, when the wild oats
are sowed, the sad harvest will bring them
the bitterest of remorse.
This Is matter in which women may
properly move, since they rule society, are
liberal patrons of the thester, and uni
versally allowed to be by sex, education
and the grace of God the most moral half
Of creation. Dear mothers, sisters and
teachers, let the cults you love go for a
little while, and, taking a hint from
Browning's innocent Pippa as she passes
unframed through scenes of love and sin
and death, helm to keep these little girls of
ours as safe through ignorance as she was,
and able to sing with her
"God is in his heaven.
All is well with the world"
As they go about the wholesome work
and play fitted to their years, or, learning
I from the heather Buddha that chastity is
one of the cardinal virtues which shall
bring mans soul safe to Nirvana in the
end, see that your sons be not tempted to
forget it by these allurements of the flesh.
| These boys and girls are to be the parents
| OF the coming generation, and makers OF
the happiness of home, the honor of the
/ city, the prosperity of the State we are
so proud of. Let US remember this and
begin early to make them virtuous as well
as brave and beautiful; to teach them that
the true conduct of life is the highest
culture, and that a wise legislation which
| nips vice in the bud is better economy
than building prisons and hospitals to heal
| and reform souls and bodies which might
have been saved by care before ignorance
| and temptation ruined them.
Cease demonstrating against the with
/ holding rights so many of us are not yet
ready to use, and earnestly profit by one Of
the few conceded to us. Be what you ars
so often called, the good angels of home
the keepers of mems conscience, the
mothers of the race, and do your duty in
this matter, both for the sake of your own
children and those poorer ones who lead {
dangerous life for their daily bread and
| your dangerous pleasure. L. NJ. ALcoTT.
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